Security gates – what options are available to you?

When most people think of perimeter security, gates are the product that initially comes to mind – and for good reason. While gates are by no means the be all and end all of perimeter security, they do lay an important foundation. Here we look at a few of the options available to you if you are ready to increase the level of security at your site.

Swing gates

Swing gates are the most traditional form of gate that we offer. They provide a straight forward and no-nonsense perimeter block that protects against unwanted visitors. These are commonly used among schools, businesses and other private sites. In order for one of these gates to be installed there must be enough room for the gate to open and level ground so that the gate doesn’t catch on anything.

The GA9600 Automatic Swing Gate adheres to all national legislation and has a control panel that is hidden from view allowing for a professional appearance.

Sliding gates

If you are working with a restricted amount of space, then sliding gates might be the best option for you. When a full-arc can not be achieved, a sliding gate can be substituted to work within smaller confines as they open horizontally. This horizontal opening feature also makes them more resistant to ram-raid style attacks from vehicles.

We offer two key types of cantilever sliding gates in the GA9000 Automatic Sliding Gate and the 6A9000M Manual Sliding Gate.

Bi-folding gates

Bi-folding gates are commonly known as speed gates and can often be seen at sites where a fast entry and exit is a priority such as police stations and fire stations. They can also be necessary in sites where tailgating is a danger and the control of access to authorised personal is essential for security.

The GA9500 Bi-Folding Trackless Speed Gate opens at more than double the speed of a traditional type of swinging gate. They can also be fitted with extra features including spiked tops to prevent overhead entry and warning lights or sirens to warn vehicles and passers by of an impending entry or exit.

Ongoing support

Even if a gate is looked after incredibly well, there are still occasions, like with any purchase, that things can go wrong. Your gate or barrier may need fixing at some point in the future and its important that you aren’t left for too long with a broken security measure. That’s why we offer a nationwide reactive callout service with response times of 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and 7 days. We have local and reliable engineers that are based across the UK and Ireland to ensure the best and most proficient service.

To find out more about our gates as well as our servicing and repairs options, please contact us on 01522 682255 for a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your perimeter security equipment.

Secure your vacant commercial property before it’s too late

As the owner of a commercial property you are likely to find at some point that your property becomes vacant for a period of time. During this timeframe you need to be completely sure that the site is protected from external threats – of which there are many. Here are some of the top risks posed to businesses while a property is vacant and a few tips on how to neutralise those threats.

Urban exploration

Along with the rise of social media and video networking sites like YouTube has come a rise in the practice of urban exploration. This is where people visit abandoned or vacant sites and photograph them to share with other people. While much of this practice is innocent and hobbyists encourage each other to practice sensible exploration there are still dangers posed to the owners of those sites. Not only can those people risk their health and accidentally damage fixtures and fittings, but they can also attract unwanted attention from gangs and criminals looking to take advantage of those sites for their own purposes.

Vandalism

Another key risk to abandoned sites is that of vandalism. Whether perpetrated by skilled graffiti artists or mindless vandals – the end result remains the same – damaged property that the owner of the site will at some point have to pay to rectify. Unsecured commercial sites are key targets for vandals.

Squatting

With a rise in homelessness in recent years, squatting is once again back on the agenda of security concerns for owners of vacant commercial buildings. Many buildings across the UK have become shelter for groups of vulnerable people with nowhere else to go. However, this comes at a cost to the owners of these sites who must endure sometimes difficult legal processes to move them on and are left to pay for any damage they leave behind.

Arson

One of the most serious and severe dangers that owners of empty commercial buildings face is that of arson. Out of all the risks to a property this is perhaps the most devastating and can lead to huge damage and financial losses as a result. Without proper perimeter security there is nothing preventing an arsonist from choosing to target your property.

Fly tipping

Fly tipping is infuriating for land owners. Not only does it look unpleasant, but it can also cause harm to property and local wildlife. It also incurs heavy costs in both time and money to the owners of the property who are left to clean it up. An isolated and unsecured property is an easy target for rubbish dumpers who want to ensure they are not caught in the act.

What to do?

There are plenty of different methods for securing a vacant property from these types of threats. Strong perimeter security tools such as gates and barriers are however an important place to start.

No matter the size or nature of your businesses or site, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quotation and feasibility survey to assess your security requirements. For more information on any of the security options above, or for further advice on how to protect your business premises from criminals, please contact us here or call us on 01522 682 255.